NFA To Be Allowed To Import Rice

The government is working to amend the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) to stabilize rice prices.

The RTL is only one of the measures being taken by the government to improve the lives of Filipino farmers amid various challenges to their livelihood. I Photo: Philippine Information Agency

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. President Marcos said he will push for changes in the RTL, particularly the provision that prohibits the National Food Authority (NFA) from importing rice.

He said allowing the NFA to import rice will help not only farmers but also the general public, especially consumers, as it would stabilize rice prices in the market.

“Kaya’t kung pagbibigyan tayo ng ating Kongreso na makapag-import na [ang NFA], makikipagsabayan na ito. Ito naman talaga ang unang [dahilan] kung bakit tinayo ang NFA,” Marcos said.

The Chief Executive said amending the RTL is only one of the measures being taken by the government to improve the lives of Filipino farmers amid various challenges to their livelihood.

“Marami tayong ginagawa,” President Marcos said on the sidelines of the distribution of certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) and e-titles to farmers at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center in Koronadal City.

President Marcos said the government is looking for weather-proof varieties to strengthen the country’s production while the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) will provide machinery to farmers.

The chief executive believes the government's initiatives would streamline farm production, eliminating the need for middlemen.

For consumers, the President said the government is fixing the ports, farm-to-market roads (FMR), and other infrastructures to improve the transport of not only rice but all products of farmers and fishermen.

President Marcos said the value chain of agriculture is also being improved by strengthening production and providing machinery, market intelligence, and technical information to the sector.

The government is also providing farmers with fertilizers and pesticides to increase their output. During typhoon season, he said government financial assistance programs like the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) are implemented to aid needy farmers.